CLAT English Language & Comprehension 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Choose the word closest in meaning to 'LACONIC'.
- Verbose
- Brief (Correct answer)
- Emotional
- Ambiguous
Correct answer: Brief
Laconic means using very few words; brief or terse in expression.
Question 2: Which of the following sentences is in the passive voice?
- The court delivered the verdict.
- The verdict was delivered by the court. (Correct answer)
- Delivering the verdict, the judge paused.
- The judge who delivered the verdict was fair.
Correct answer: The verdict was delivered by the court.
In passive voice, the subject ('verdict') receives the action, formed with 'was + past participle'.
Question 3: Read: 'The accused remained impassive as the sentence was read.' What does 'impassive' suggest?
- Deeply emotional
- Showing no feeling or reaction (Correct answer)
- Confused and disoriented
- Defiant and angry
Correct answer: Showing no feeling or reaction
Impassive means not showing or feeling emotion, revealing the accused's controlled or blank demeanor.
Question 4: Identify the correct form: 'The data ______ been analyzed by the research team.'
- has
- have (Correct answer)
- having
- had been
Correct answer: have
'Data' is the plural of 'datum', so it traditionally takes the plural verb 'have' in formal academic writing.
Question 5: Choose the best synonym for 'INVETERATE' as used in 'an inveterate liar'.
- Occasional
- Habitual (Correct answer)
- Reluctant
- Repentant
Correct answer: Habitual
Inveterate describes a habit or practice that is long-established and unlikely to change; habitual is the closest synonym.
Question 6: Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
- She almost drove her children to school every day. (Correct answer)
- She drove her children to almost every school.
- She drove almost every day to school.
- Almost every day, she drove her children to school.
Correct answer: She almost drove her children to school every day.
'Almost' should modify 'every day', not 'drove'; the sentence implies she nearly drove but didn't.
Question 7: A passage argues: 'Free speech must be absolute; any restriction opens the door to tyranny.' The author's reasoning relies on which logical pattern?
- Circular reasoning
- Slippery slope (Correct answer)
- Ad hominem
- False analogy
Correct answer: Slippery slope
The slippery slope fallacy claims that one action will inevitably lead to extreme consequences without sufficient justification.
CLAT English Language & Comprehension 3
Choose the word closest in meaning to 'LACONIC'.